10 Quick Ones with THE BIG DITTIES – June 2017

According to a recent press release: ““Mom Just Quit The Band” the soon-to-be-well-received video debut from Chicago’s The Big Ditties has been described as “A Train wreck. Sad!” as well as “Pure Comic Genius.”  This “movement in moronacy” (Wall Street Journal) had to come from somewhere.  The core band of DJ K-Heyyy, Ad-Rik and Tu-PO delivers comedic music that crosses multiple genres and takes no prisoners.  Whether they are being pampered on stage by their Love Slaves or mashing up songs about venereal diseases, The Big Ditties stage antics are not for the faint of heart. Don’t let their thug-diva personas fool you. Their calling to lower benchmarks everywhere actually came from humble beginnings.” We get all three members – DJ K-Heyyy, Ad-Rik and Tu-PO to answer our 10 Quick Ones about the upcoming release and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Ad-Rik: There certainly are, in the video! It’s kind of like “Where’s Waldo,” except Waldo is a transvestite. Can you find him? Also, see if you can spot the loogie.

DJ K-Heyyy: Did you hear our children counting the swear words as they flew by on the recording session? They sang on the chorus. We had to put a few Benjamins into the swear jar.

Tu-PO: There’s a lot going on in the video. Lot’s of thought went into small props, how we scored the crappy singing (4-2-0). It definitely bears repeated viewing.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Ad-Rik: For me it was the first time I heard Bobby Sherman’s “Julie, Do You Love Me.” The man is a god. Who else could so seamlessly combine a strip-tease with a sea chanty? Eh?

DJ K-Heyyy: I think I knew I wanted to be a musician the moment I saw David Lee Roth do an open split jump in his assless chaps.

Tu-PO: I tend to gravitate towards anything where there is a lot of free booze.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

AR: Obviously Bobby Sherman; he’s the only influence I’ll ever really need.

DJ K-Heyyy: Well The Big Ditties dig The Muppets of course, and Olivia Newton John tore my world wide open.

Tu-PO: My album collection consisted of Blondie, Donna Summer, Devo and Pink Floyd. I used to listen to The Wall non-stop while I played in my doll house.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

AR: Duh.

DJ K-Heyyy: Yeah, duh.

Tu-PO: Flavor Flav.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Tu-PO: Very heartfelt, beautiful lush and dense orchestrations, perfect for a first dance at a wedding.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

DJ K-Heyyy: You mean there’s a best part?

Tu-PO: I have an excuse to forever be bitter and jaded.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

DJ K-Heyyy: Well first of all The Big Ditties don’t do singalongs yo. We do drinkalongs and if you can’t hang well, that’s on your lame ass. I have to say Tu-PO is especially apt to cooking a frozen pizza.

Tu-PO: I think bringing a guitar, or any instrument, to a rehearsal is a great idea! Thanks for the tip.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

DJ K-Heyyy: I’m living the dream baby.

Tu-PO: Jackpot lottery winner.

Ad Rik: I think I’d like to be a penguin cuddler. What a racquet!

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

DJ K-Heyyy: The Big Ditties don’t believe in do overs. We just keep a “fuck up” chart handy and occasionally refer to it for laughs.

Tu-PO: Basically, my entire twenties. But you’ll hear more about that in our next single.

Ad Rik: Hmmm…

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

DJ K-Heyyy: For me it would have to be Rush’s “Tom Sawyer.” I would fold myself up into a ball and chill inside Neil Peart’s kick drum on that session. That record started my career in air drumming and I proudly display my winning statue for “Best Air Drummer Ever” on the shelf off to the right of my water bed.

Tu-PO: Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy just so I could watch Robert sing “Over The Hills.” Way too sexy!!!

Ad Rik: I think it would have to be the recording of The Ramones “Blitzkrieg Bop.” Just to let Joey know that he’d written the most profound and prophetic lyric in R&R history. “Hey-Ho, Let’s go!” For reals.

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Category: Interviews